Prior to October 2012, the position was known as the "Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs", and was retitled in response to the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.

Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby served alongside Little as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Media Operations and Spokesman.

ASD PA manages the following critical functions: community and public outreach, press operations, speechwriting, news analysis, communications planning.

DMA provides news and information to our over one million service members stationed at home and around the world via broadcast, radio, web, and periodicals.

In October 2015 the position was retitled again, reverting to Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, in response to the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.